GO Commuter
App
PROBLEM
GO Transit commuters often feel insecure about their experience with the transit system, suffering from spontaneous delays and varying arrival times. Commuters also stress over having insufficient funds in their Presto cards and wonder how much they are actually saving taking the GO Transit with the Presto card.
SOLUTION
The GO Commuter App helps commuters be aware of their transit status. Users also have access to their Presto cards to gauge funds.
User Research
Conducted quick and short interviews with current GO Transit commuters on habits and suggestions
Wireframing + Prototyping
Sketched wireframes with pencil & sticky notes and created hi-fi version of app design on Sketch & Figma
User Testing
Tested hi-fi prototype on users and consulted them for quick feedback on improving the prototype
ROLES
CONTEXT
The app idea was spurred from a personal pain point when commuting using the GO Transit System: I hated not knowing when the train was delayed.
A few quick interviews with other commuters confirmed that that pain point was not only my own. They also clarified the need for three key pieces of information before the train's arrival to one's station:
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When the train will arrive at the current station
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If the train is experiencing any delays
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When the train will arrive at the final destination
Lastly, a secondary set of pain points discovered was around the Presto card:
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Being unable to load the card freely
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Being unable to see the loyalty benefits
PERSONA
Kelly is a project manager working downtown. She commutes daily via train to get to work and home on time.
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Her daily schedule is regimented, set up to work around the train schedule.
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She arrives at the station usually about 5 minutes before her train's usual arrival time so she can minimize her travel time.
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"I hate not knowing if my train is on time."
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She is paying off her student loan and is trying to save money.
SOLUTION: THE COMMUTER APP
The app provides a solution to let commuters be informed of the status of their designated trains at all times, majorly before and during the ride. The app also provides access to Presto card information to manage funds and view savings.
LO-FI VERSIONS
The switch to the Second Version was prompted by unclear goals in the First Version addressing the persona's pain points. The Second Version aimed to simplify tasks to that of the commuter only.
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First Version: focused on the route and allowed users the flexibility to switch routes (Med-Fi)
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Second Version: focused on the user's commute (Hi-Fi)
Changes between the First and Second Versions:
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Route selection becoming limited to the user's main commute found in the Settings panel
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The addition of the Presto card and payment options to address the secondary pain point
MED-FI VERSION
The First Version was explored in the med-fi prototype, emphasizing the ability to use GO's various routes to get from point A to B.
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Setup: set up ride orientation and login to Presto
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Map: shows location of train currently on route
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Schedule: shows schedule of trains and buses
A banner was always displayed up top to allow the user to switch the route and destinations.
However, feedback indicated that people cared less about ability to switch routes and cared more about their current commute.
Setup
Map
Schedule
HI-FI VERSION
The Second Version focused on the user's commute through three tabs: Commute, Schedule, and Presto.
The Commute tab was set as the main screen upon opening the app, and aimed to answer the three key questions around train status: the train's ETA to current station, possible delays, and the train's ETA to final destination.
The Presto tab answered to the secondary pain points around loading the card freely and keeping track of savings.
COMMUTE
Kelly is made aware of the train's ETA at her station, notifications regarding the train's status, and the ETA to her final destination.
SCHEDULE
Kelly checks the schedule of her route for the next train, toggling between north and south bound to plan for her return trip.
PRESTO
Kelly manages her funds and sees all her Presto card transactions, keeping track of the savings via loyalty trips attained.
SHOW PRESTO CARD
Kelly uses the app as a physical card substitute, keeping track of when and where she last tapped it for her trip.
SETTINGS
Kelly adjusts her route and Presto payment information to tailor the app to her needs and make her trip more convenient.
FEEDBACK FOR FUTURE ITERATIONS
There was some discussion around commuters who also need to take the TTC for their commute once reaching Union Station. The addition of the TTC would be a logical next step for the app, given the Presto card integration, as the function would be useful to allow users to visualize their full commute on the app.